Automatic fencing-machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. P. SHATTUGK. AUTOMATIC FENCING MACHINE.

Patented June 23,1891.

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Puoro-umm, wmnwmm a c (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. P. SHATTUOK. AUTOMATIC FENCING MACHINE.

No. 454,530. Patented June 23,1891.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3,

W. P. SHATTUCK. AUTOMATIC FENCING MACHINE.

No. 454,530. Patented June 23, 1891.

WE; I

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. P. SHATTUCK. AUTOMATIC FENCING MACHINE.

Patented June 23,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM P. SHATTUOK, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC FENCING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,530, dated June 23,1891.

Application filed March 31, 1890. Serial No. 345,994. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. SHATTUCK, of Minneapolis, in the countyof Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain Improvementsin Automatic Fence-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines designed especiallyfor constructing wire-and-picket fences, though the machines are alsoapplicable for making any kind of fabric that is formed of a twistedwarp of wires or other material and a woof of slats or strips of anykind and of any material. Such fabric may be used for making barrels,boxes, or shipping-crates, as well as for other purposes.

As high-speed machines of this class have heretofore generally beenconstructed they are provided with a series of rotating twisters,through which the wires forming the warp pass and by which they aretwisted. In order to insert the pickets or slats forming the woof, ithas been necessary to stop the twisters or reduce their speed almost toa complete stop, and then suddenly to shoot the pickets between themwhile they are at rest. This operation is objectionable for severalreasons. One of the main objections arises from the fact that thestopping and starting of the twister cause a great deal of strain uponthe machine. Another objection is that with such a construction only alimited speed can be attained, as the twisters must remain stationaryduring the entire time that the picket is passing between them. In orderto reduce this time to a minimum, it has been necessary to move thepicket very quickly across the machine. This has usually beenaccomplished by striking a sharp blow upon the end of the picket, andthereby the picket was often bruised or marred and sometimes broken. Iobviate these objections by providing a machine in which the twistersare rotated continuously and with a uniform motion, and in which thepickets are fed between the twisters while theyare in motion. Toaccomplish this result each twister is provided with a pair of spiraltwister-fingers by which the wires are guided and between which thepickets are fed, each picket being given a simul taneous transversemovement across the machine and a movement longitudinally thereof.

Another object is to provide improved means for feeding the pickets witha positive feed and at a uniform speed and releasing them when theforward end reaches the de sired point, no matter what may be the lengthof the picket.

Other objects I have in view are to provide improved tension devices forthe spools, improved means for regulating the twist of the warp and thedistance between pickets, improved means for automatically winding thefence or fabric, an improved device for measuring the length of thefabric, a device for stopping the machine in case of the breaking of awire, and a device for stopping the machine in case a picket fails toreach its proper position.

Another feature of the invention is a device for cutting or shaping thepickets while in the machine, and a further feature is a device forcutting off the fence while it is being moved along in the machine.

Other objects will appear from the following detailed description, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aplan of my new machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section online00 0c of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on line 1 y ofFig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are details showing the tension device 011 thespools. Fig. (3 is a detail section of the twister and elevation of thetraveling picket-guide. Fig. '7 is a detail side elevation showing thefence-advancing mechanism and the means for regulating its movement.Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are details of the device for stopping the machine incase of breakage of a wire by the twisters. Figs. 11 and 12 are detailsof the dog on the fence-advancing mechanism. Figs. l3, 1%, 15, 16, and16:} are details of the means for feeding the pickets between thetwisters. Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the measuring devlee. Figs. 18and 19 are details of the wire-cutters. Figs. 20, 21, and 22 are detailsof the picket-shaper. Fig. 23 is a detail section of the travelingpicket-guide and section of the twister-fingers, and showing the mannerof passing the picket between them. Fig. 2i is a detail of the devicefor stopping IOO the machine when the picket fails to reach its positionin the machine. Fig. 25 is a detail of the movable sprocket-wheel thatcarries the sprocket feeding-chain. Fig. 26 is a detail of a portion ofthe picket-feeding device.

In the drawings, 2 represents the frame of the machine, which may be ofany preferred construction and of any suitable material. Mounted insuitable bearings, preferably arranged upon this frame, are suitablespoolframes 3, that carry the spools of wire or other material to formthe warp of the fence or other fabric. These frames are provided withshafts 4, having sprockets 5, by which they are driven, preferably by achain 6 from the main shaft 7 of the machine.

Twister-heads 8 are arranged, preferably, on the shafts 1 of thespool-frames, though they might obviously be mounted and drivenseparately from the spool-frames and produce the same result. Thetwisters have spiral twister-fingers, by which the wire is guided. Thetwisters are given a continuous movement, preferably by the meansdescribed, though they may be driven by any other suit able means. Thepickets are fed between the revolving twisters while they are in motion,and are given simultaneously a movement across the machine and amovement lengthwise thereof, so that as they pass through the twistersthey also mo\ 0 lengthwise of the twisters, this forward movement beingtimed to correspond to the twist or spiral of the twisters.

The pickets are preferably placed on a feed-table 9, provided with beltsor carriers 10, by which the pickets are carried forward to the pointwhere they are taken hold of by the feed-carrier. At the end of thetable, where they are brought by the belts 10, is a roll 11, on whichthe end picket rests. This roll supports the picket for its full lengthand keeps it in position to be engaged by the feed-carrier. Thefeed-carrier consists of an endless chain 12, that passes over sprockets13, 14:, and 15. There are preferably three of these sprockets, onelocated nearly over the first twister and substantially in line with thefront end of the twisters and the others located at some distance fromthe twisters and substantially in line with their rear ends. Thesprockets 13 and 14: are arranged at substantially the same height,while the sprocket 15 is arranged above the sprocket 1 1. The wheel 15is preferably secured upon a band or loop that surrounds thesupporting'post, and is adapted to be moved up and down thereon. Byloosening the bolts shown in Fig. 25 this wheel can be adjusted andagain secured in position by tightening these bolts. A slotted guide 16is arranged beneath the lower part of the chain, and it supports thechain and guides it in its movement. The first portion of this guide isat right angles with the axes of the twisters, and the rest is on adiagonal line from this point to the sprocket 13 at the front end of thetwisters.

Secured upon the chain or carrier 12 are a series of tripping-dogs 17.These dogs are hinged upon a plate 18, that is secured to the chain andproject through the guide 16. Each dog 17 consists, preferably, of apiece of spring metal having two arms 19 and 20, the arm 19 beingarranged to engage the rear end of the picket and the arm 20 beingarranged to bear against the under side of the guide, and thus toprevent the dog from turning on its pivot as long as the arm 20 remainsin contact with the underside of the guide. As the chain comes along,the dog engages the rear end of the picket and moves the picket towardthe twisters. This movement is in a straight line until the end of thepicket comes between the fingers of the first twister, and then thepicket begins to advance and the chain travels over the diagonal part ofthe guide, the dog still remaining in engagement with the rear end ofthe picket.

At the end of the guide 16 is a yielding plate 21, that forms acontinuation of the guide, and against which the arm 20 on the dog bearsafter leaving the guide. This plate is held in position by a spring 22.The tension of this spring is sufficient to hold the dog down while thepicket is moving forward. As soon, however, as the picket reaches theend of its movement and strikes the picketstop the resistance issufficient to overcome the tension of the spring-plate and the dogreleases the picket. It will be seen that with this device the picketsare fed to the twisters with a positive, regular, and uniform movement,and that this movement continues until the picket reaches its position,and no matter where the rear end may be the picket will then bereleased. It makes no difference, therefore, in the feeding of thepickets whether the pickets are all of the same length or not. Theuppersprocket 15 may be raised or lowered and additional links inserted,or a part of the links removed between every two dogs, and by this meansI may increase or decrease the number of pickets fed to the machine inany given time without increasing or decreasing the speed at which thepickets are moved.

Hinged upon the plate 16, to which the picket-moving dog is secured, isa plate 23, whose hinge is nearly at right angles to that of the dog.This plate is in advance of the dog, so that it stands at the side ofthe picket as it is advanced to the machine. A guidebar 24 is arrangedparallel to the diagonal portion of the chain and far enough above thepicket to permit the picket to pass beneath it. hen the guideplate 23strikes this bar, it travels along by it, and the bar prevents the platefrom turning on its hinge. The end of this guide-bar extends close tothe first twister and is inclined backward. A bar 25, having an inclinedend, is arranged IOC over the first twister, so that when the plate 23reaches this point it strikes the inclined end of this bar, and is.thereby turned upward on its hinge to permit it to pass over the twisterwithout striking it. The plate 23, engaging the side of the picket nearits rear end, causes this end of the picket to travel longitudinally ofthe machine at the same speed as its forward end, and thus keeps therear end of the picket in contact with the dog. As the pickets passbetween the twisters, they are moved forward at the desired rate ofspeed. For this purpose I prefer to use a series of traveling guides,which both advance the pickets and at the same time guide them properlythrough the twisters. This device consists of a series of guide-blocks26, secured upon endless chains 27, that pass over the sprockets 28 and29 upon the shafts 30 and 31. The shaft 30 has a bevel-gear 32, thatmeshes withapinion 33 on the main shaft of the machine and is driventherefrom. Each block 26 has beveled or rounded ends, so as to guide thepickets between them, and each block has a short, preferably beveled,projection 34 extending from one side and alonger beveled projection 35extending from the other side. These projections overlap each other whenthe blocks are moving horizontally and form bottoms for the spaces thatreceive the pickets. The bars 36, having inclined faces, are arrangedabove the traveling blocks, and they aid also in guiding the picketacross the machine. The beveled ends of the blocks, the inclined orbeveled surfaces of the projections 3a and 35, and the inclined bar 36together form rectangular funnelshaped openings to act as guides for thepickets. A set of traveling guides is preferably arranged alongside ofeach twister, and the motions of the twisters and the guides are sotimed with respect to each other that the spaces between each two blocksis always opposite a vertical opening between the spiral fingers, asshown in Fig. 6. These guides both direct the pickets across the machineand carry them lengthwise of the twisters toward their forward ends.\Vhen the pickets pass out from between the twisters, they are betweenthe wires, and a further movement of the twisters causes the wires to betwisted behind and close to the pickets, thereby secu rely holding thepickets between the wires.

I also provide means for advancing or pulling along the fence, andthereby propelling the wire through the twisters. This mechanismconsists, preferably, of a series of reciprocating and yielding dogsthat engage several pickets in the completed fence or fabric and therebymove it forward. These dogs may be arranged in any suitable manner. Ihave shown each dog 37 pivoted upon a split collar 38 and held in anelevated position by a spring 39. These collars are clamped upon piecesof tube or gas-pipe 4.0 and may be adjusted thereon. There arepreferably two series of dogs arranged near opposite sides of themachine. The tubes l0 are arranged upon rods 41, upon which they areadapted to slide. A rock-shaft 4:2 is supported in bearings on the frameof the machine and is provided with arms 43, that are connected withcollars ll on the tubes 40 by means of connecting-rods 45. The springstend to hold the dogs in an elevated position. As they move forward theyengage the pickets. As they move back they are depressed and pass underthe pickets. It is desirable to give to each picket a quick movement asit approaches the end of the twisters that throws it forward away fromthe twisters and close to the twists in the wires. For this purpose Iarrange, preferably upon the recipro cating tubes that support theyielding dogs, pivoted dogs 46, having their lower ends 47 arranged toengage stops 4.8. As the ends 47 strike these stops the upper ends ofthe dogs are suddenly moved forward, engaging the picket and pushing itforward away from the twisters and against the twists in the wires andholding it in this position while the twists are being formed behind it,and thus insuring the pickets being closely bound by the wire at bothedges. The dogs 46 are preferably pivoted upon the collars 4i, to whichthe rods are connected. It will be understood that the number of twistsbetween the pickets depends upon the length of time that elapses betweenthe operation of the sliding dogs by which the fence is pulled along,and that the distance between the pickets depends upon the length ofstroke of said dogs, the feed of the pickets being made to correspond tothe operation of these parts.

I provide means by which without increasing the speed of any of theparts of the machine I am enabled to regulate at will the number oftwists between the pickets and also the space or distance between thepickets. For this purpose the rock-shaft 42 is provided with a dependingarm 49. A chain 50 is connected to the lower end of this arm at one sideand a chain 51 to the opposite side. A slotted bar 52 is arranged inproximity to this arm,and is preferably provided with one horizontalportion and an inclined portion. The shaft 31 carries the sprockets 29,over which the chains 27 pass, and extends through the upper end of thebar 52, being provided with a sprocket-wheel 53. A sprocket-wheel 54 ismounted in the slot in the inclined portion of the bar 52 and is capableof being set at any point in the slot in said bar. An endless chain 55passes around these sprocket-wheels, and said chain and sprocket-wheelsare driven from the shaft 31. A rod 56 has its upper end connected tothe chain 55, so that it travels with said chain around saidsprocket-wheel. The other end of the rod 56 is provided with a studwhich travels in the slot in the bar 52. The chains 50 and 51 areconnected to the rod 56, the chain 50 being preferably connected to thelower end of said rod and the chain 51 at a 57 and 58.

point near the upper end. The chains and 51 are preferably connected tothe lower end of the arm 49 by means of adjustable hooks WVith thisconstruction and arrangement the rock-shaft remains stationary all ofthe time, while both chains are slack. Just before, however, the end ofthe rod 56 reaches the upper limit of its movement with the chain thechain 51 will be drawn tight and will cause the shaft 42 tobe rocked,thereby moving the dogs and drawing out the fence. The distance that therock-shaft will be moved will depend upon the length of the chain 51 orthe adjustment of its hook 57. This chain may be lengthened or shortenedand the hook may be adjusted, thereby regulating the pull out of thefence. After the end of the rod has passed around the sprocket-wheel 53the dogs will remain stationary until the end of the rod approaches thedownward limit of its movement, when the chain 50 will be tightened andthe rocker-arm will be thrown in the other direction and the dogs willbe moved toward the twisters, passing under the pickets. When it isdesired to have more twists between the pickets, the chain 55 islengthened, and the idler sprocket-wheel 54 is moved farther down in theslotted bar 52, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7, and there willnow be a longer time between the movements of the rocker-arm, andconsequently more twists between the pickets. By this means a fencehaving any desired number of twists between the pickets may be formed.

In order to prevent any backward movement of the fence, I provide one ormore pivoted dogs 59, that are arranged above the fence and engage thepickets and prevent any backward movement thereof.

I also prefer to provide means for stopping the machine in case ofbreakage of a wire in the twisters. The main driving-shaft is providedwith a pulley, as 60, to which power may be applied. A clutch 61 isarranged upon the shaft and engages this pulley. A lever 62 controlsthis clutch, and a spring 63 engages the lever and tends to throw theclutch out of engagement with the drivingpulley. A hand-lever 64 isconnected by suitable means, as a cord 65, with the lever 62. Aratchet-bar 66 is arranged in proximity to the lever 64, and said leveris provided with a lug 67, that is adapted to engage one of the notchesin the ratchet-bar 66. \Vhen the lever is drawn back, so as to cause theclutch to engage the driving-pulley, its lug 67 is engaged with theratchet-bar and the machine is put in motion. 'W'he n the lever 6i ismoved so that its lug is disengaged from the ratchet-bar 66, the spring63 disengages the clutch and the machine stops. A cord 68 is connectedto the lever 61L and extends across the machine in front of the twistersand passes through lugs 69 on a rod 70. Dogs 71 are mounted on this cordbetween the lugs 69 and rest on the wires, as shown in Fig. 8. Should awire become broken, the corresponding dog will drop down and engage thepicket, as shown in Fig. 9. The dog will then be drawn along with thepicket, and through the means described will release the lever 64 andstop'the machine. The dogs may be arranged to engage both wires.

I also prefer to provide means for stopping the machine in case a picketfails to reach the proper position in the machine. A projection 72 onthe frame of the machine forms the picket-stop. In front of this is apivoted plate 73, against which the end of a picket strikes if thepicket reaches the proper position in the machine. A vertical shaft 74(see Fig. 1) is mounted on the frame of the machine, and is providedwith an arm 75, that is connected to the lever 6t by a cord 76.

Upon the upper end of the shaft 74c is an arm 77, pivoted thereto on ahorizontal pivot and capable of being raised without turning the shaft.If, however, this arm is turned horizontally, it turns the shaft 74 withit. The arm 77 projects into the path of an arm 78 on the rock-shaft 42.The plate 7 3 is connected to a shaft 79, that has a crank-arm 80connected to the arm 77. Each time a picket strikes the plate 73 'it isturned on its pivot, thereby turning the shaft 79 and raising the arm 77WVhile the arm 77 is in an elevated position the arm 78 on therock-shaft moves beneath without touching it. If, however, the pickethas failed to reach its position in the machine, the arm 77 will be inthe path of the arm on the rock-shaft and will be moved by it, andthereby through the shaft 74 and cord 76 the lever 64 will be releasedand the machine will be stopped.

I also provide means for regulating the tension upon the spools whilethe wire is being drawn from them. For this purpose a shaft 81 ismounted on the spool-frame at the side of each spool, and is providedwith an arm 82, carrying a friction-plate 83, that is adapted to bear onthe end plate of the spool. A spring Si is connected to an arm 85 on theshaft 81 and to the spool-frame and tends to hold the friction-plate inengagement with the end of the spool-frame, and thereby to prevent thespool from rotating. An arm 86 projects from the shaft 81 in front ofthe spool and carries a wire-guide 87, through which the wire passes. Apull on the wire turns the shaft 81 and carries the friction-plate awayfrom the spool, thus leaving the spool free to turn. As soon as the pullon the wire ceases the spring brings the friction-plate again intocontact with the spool and causes it to stop.

I provide means by which the fence will be automatically wound up asfast as made. For this purpose I mount the reel 90 upon a swing ingframe 91, which is preferably arranged to be swung away from thetwisters by aweight 92 or equivalent device. -The reel-shaft is providedwith a worm-wh eel 93, which engages a worm 9i upon a shaft 95. Thisshaft carries one part 97 of a clutch, the other part 98 being carriedby a shaft 96, that is driven by IOC IIS

suitable means. Alever 99 controls one part of the clutch, which ispreferably an ordinary friction-clutch, so that'by moving the lever 1none direction the two parts of the clutch are engaged and by moving itin the other direction they are separated. A rod 101 is connected to thelever 99 and to the swinging frame carrying the reel. As the framebecomes slack between the advancing mechanism and the reel, the swingingframe is moved out by the weight, and the lever controlling the clutchis moved so as to bring the two parts of the clutch into engagement, andthe reel is operated to wind up the frame, and the swinging frame isthereby drawn back toward the machine, the clutch is released, and thereel stops. By using a worm and wheel to connect the reel with itsoperating-shaft any back movement of the reel is prevented. Although theshaft 95 has a slight longitudinal movement in its bearing with theswinging frame, the movement of the lower end which is connected to theclutch-lever is greater, and thereby the clutch will have its two partsbrought into engagement. It will be seen that this means for winding thefence is entirely automatic and that the fence is wound as fast as made.

I may also provide a measuring or counting device for measuring thefence as it is made. This consists of a chain 103, capable of be ingshortened or lengthened, arranged upon sprocket-wheels 104, one of whichis adjustable and provided with a lug 105, that is adapted to engage andmove a pivoted lever 106, that is provided with a hammer 107, adapted tostrike a bell 108. A spring 109 is connected to the lever 106. Aratchet-wheel 110 moves the chaim A spring-dog 111 engages thisratchet-wheel and prevents any back movement thereof. An arm 112 iscarried by the rock-shaft 42, and is provided with a pawl 114, thatrides upon the spring-dog 111, and is adapted to engage the same tooththat is engaged by the spring-dog. This permits a large movement of thepawl with a small ratchet-wheel. At each movement of the rock-shaft theratchet-wheel is moved one notch. At each complete revolution of thechain the lug 105 engages the lever 106, draws it back, and thenreleases it, thus permitting the spring to draw the hammer against thebell. In this way the attendant will be notified when a given amount offence has been made. (In order not to obscure the drawings I have notshown this device in the general View of the machine.)

I may also provide means for cutting or shaping the pickets while in themachine. (See Figs. 20 and 22.) This consists of die 115, of the shapedesired for the picket, secured upon a suitable support on the frame ofthe machine, preferably above the pickets, and in such relation to thefence-advancing mechanism that each picket will stop directly under thedie. A knife 116 is arranged below' this die in position to be raisedagainst it and is supported by a lever 117. A cam 118 on the shaft 30operates in conjunction with this lever to raise the knife against thedie, and thereby the picket beneath the die is trimmed and shaped. Theknife preferably has the part of its edge that cuts nearest the edge ofthe picket of the greater height, so that the knife makes a shearing cuton the picket from the outer edge toward the center. By this means anydesired ornamental shape may be given to the pickets.

I also prefer to provide means for cutting off the fence while it is inthe machine. This consists of standards 120, pivoted upon the frame ofthe machine and carrying a transverse knife 121, above which the fencepasses. A knife 122 is mounted upon links 123, secured on the upper endsof the standards. A hand-lever 124 is connected to one of these links,so that by depressing this lever the upper knife is brought down to theother knife. The fence passes between the knives and they are arrangedso as to shear past each other, so that as the upper knife is depressedall of the wires are simultaneously cut. As the knives are operated theend of the movable knife nearest the handle will be first depressed andthis knife will move past the other, thus cutting the wires with ashearing out. The standards upon which the knives are mounted may beswung toward the reel while the knives are being operated, thus cuttingthe wires while the fence is in motion.

It will be seen that this machine possesses many advantages, the mostimportant of which arise from the fact that the twisters have acontinuous movement, the pickets are fed regularly and evenly betweenthem, and several pickets may be in the process of being fed into themachine at the same time. The pickets are always handled in an easymanner, and all of the movements of the machine are even and regular.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machine of the class described, thecombination, with the spiral twisters and means for rotating them with acontinuous and uniform movement, of means for feeding the slats orpickets transversely between said twisters while they are in motion, andmeans for moving the pickets lengthwise of the twisters simultaneouslywith their transverse movement between the twisters.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the spiraltwisters and means for rotating them, of means for feeding the slats orpickets between the twisters, and the traveling guides for directingsaid pickets in their passage between the twisters and giving themsimultaneously a movement lengthwise of the twisters.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the spiraltwisters, of the endless chains or belts arranged in proximity to saidtwisters and provided with the series of guides for directing thepickets between the twisters, means for rotating said twisters,

and means for giving said chains and guides a continuous movement,substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with thetwisters, of the chains or belts 27, and the blocks 26, having beveledends secured on said chains and provided with the overlapping beveledprojections, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the class described, the

combination, with the series of spiral twisters, of the funnel-shapedguides arranged to move longitudinally of said twisters, substantiallyas described.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the seriesof spiral twisters, of the chains or belts 27, arranged alongside ofsaid twisters, the guides secured upon said chains, and the inclinedguide-bars arranged above said guides, substantially as described.

'7. The combination, with the twisters, of the pieket-feeding mechanismcomprising an endless chain having dogs arranged to engage the rear endsof the pickets, and means permitting said dogs to disengage the picketsautomatically when the forward ends of the pickets reach the limit ofmovement, without regard to the position in which the rear ends of thepickets may be, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the twisters, of the picket-feeding chain,means for moving said chain continuously, a series of dogs secured tosaid chain, and means for tripping said dogs to disengage them from thepickets, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the spiral twisters and means for moving'thepickets longitudinally thereof, of the picket-feeding chain providedwith dogs adapted to engage the pickets, and the diagonally-arrangedguide, over which said chain passes.

10. The combination, with the twisters, of the feed-chain,the guide16,the plate18, engaging said guide, the dog pivoted on said plate andhaving an arm engaging said guide, and an arm engaging the end of thepicket, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the twisters, of the reciprocating barsarranged in front of said twisters, the adjustable collars arranged uponsaid bars, and the yielding dogs arranged upon said collars,substantially as described. 1

12. The combination, with the twisters, of means for moving the picketsfrom between the ends of the twisters, consisting of the reciprocatingpivoted pawls and the fixed stops, against which the ends of said pawlsare adapted to strike, for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination, with suitable twisters, of means for advancing thefence, and independently-operating means for moving the picket frombetween the twisters and into the bight of the wires while the fence isadvancin 1s. The combination, with suitable twisters,

of means for advancing the fence, and means for moving the picket frombetween the twisters after the fence has begun to advance and at agreater speed than the fence is moved, whereby the picket is broughtinto the bight of the wires.

15. Means for operating reciprocating mechanism in a fence-machine,comprising, in combination, an endless chain, Wheels supporting saidchain, a reciprocating rod attached to and moving with said chain, andsuitable con neetions between said rod and said reciprocating mechanism.

16. The combination, with a reciprocating mechanism of a fence-machine,of an endless chain capable of being shortened or lengthened, wheelssupporting said chain, one of which is adjustable, and a reciprocatingrod attached to and moving with said chain and operating saidreciprocating mechanism, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with a fence-advancing mechanism, of an endlesschain capable of being shortened or lengthened, a connection betweensaid chain and said advancing mechanism, and wheels supporting saidchain, one of said wheels being adjustable, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with the rock-shaft 42, connected with thefence-advancing mechanism and provided with the arm 19, of the wheel 53,the adjustable wheel 54, the chain 55, supported 011 said wheel, the rod56, connecting with said chain, and chains 50 and 51, connecting saidrod 52 with the opposite side of said arm 49, for the purpose set forth.

19. Means for stopping the machine in case of the breakage of a wire,comprising dogs bearing upon the wires and held out of engagement withthe pickets by said wire and adapted to engage the picket upon thebreakage of the wire and then to be moved with the picket, and meansconnecting said dogs with the machine-operating mechanism.

20. The combination, with means for advancing the fence or fabric, ofthe dogs hearing upon the wires and thereby held out of engagement withthe pickets, and adapted to engage the picket upon the breakage of thewire and then to be moved with the picket, and means connecting saiddogs with the machine-controlling mechanism.

21. The combination, with the twisters, the fence-advancing mechanism,and the reel, of the die arranged between said twisters and said reel,the knife arranged to operate in connection with said die, and means foroperating said knife, whereby the pickets are shaped after they aresecured to the wires and before they are wound upon the reel.

22. The combination, with the fence-advancing mechanism and the reel, ofthe wirecutters arranged between said fence-advancing mechanism and saidreel, and means for operating said cutters, whereby the wires may be cutas the fence advances.

23. The combination, with the machine ITO controlling mechanism, of apivoted plate arranged in the path of the picket and adapted to beturned on its pivot to permit the picket to pass, and a stop mechanismconnected with and controlled by said plate and connected to themachine-controlling mechanism.

24. The combination, with the spool, of the shaft provided with afriction-plate adapted to engage said spool, the spring holding saidplate in engagement with the spool, and an arm on said shaft carrying aguide for the Wire, for the purpose set forth.

25. The combination, With the reel, of a movable frame supporting thereel, and a reel-operating mechanism connected with and controlled bysaid frame.

26. The combination, with the reel, of the swinging frame supportingsaid reel, and the clutch connected with and controlled by said frame,substantially as described.

27. The combination, with the reel provided with the worm-wheel, of theshaft having a worm engaging said wheel, a clutch controlling saidshaft, and a movable frame supporting said reel and controlling saidclutch, substantially as described.

28. The combination, with the fence-ad-- vancing mechanism, of thecounting device comprising the endless chain 103, supported on suit-ablewheels, provided with the lug 105, the rock-shaft 12, by which thefence-advancing mechanism is moved, having the pawl 114 and arm 112, theratchet 110, the bell 108, and the lever 100, all substantially asdescribed.

29. The combination, in a fence-machine, with the roll 11,011 which thepickets are successively supported, of the picket-feeding mechanismarranged above said roll and extending lengthwise of said roll andadapted to engage the pickets and move them longitudinally over saidroll, substantially as described.

30. The combination, with the fence-ad- Vancing mechanism, of theadjustable counting device comprising the alarm, the chain capable ofbeing shortened or lengthened and carrying a lug adapted to operatesaidalarm, and means supporting said chain, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this th day of March,1890.

XVILLIAM P. SHATTUCK.

In presence of- BEssIE Room, A. 0. PAUL.

